Garth Brooks’ Sister, Betsy Smittle, Dies

Garth Brooks' half-sister, Betsy Smittle, has died. The 60-year-old was known as Brooks' bass player for part of his career. She also released one solo album and was a gay rights activist who performed and participated in numerous gay rights events.

KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City, Okla. reports that Smittle died on Saturday (Nov. 2). The cause of death was not revealed, but Garth's daughter, August, said it was cancer.

"My beautiful Aunt lost her battle with Cancer early Saturday morning," the singer's daughter said on Twitter and Instagram Monday night. "So happy she got to meet my beautiful daughter! We love you and miss you already Aunt Betsy!"

"She has a wonderful knack for rhythm, but probably her greatest talent is relating to the audience," Brooks told Oklahoma Today in 1993, adding that he called Smittle "Hollywood." She was one of the singer's four older half-siblings. He also has an older brother named Kelly.

Smittle released her solo album, 'Rough Around the Edges,' in 1994. Funeral arrangements have not been revealed, but they will take place at the Ninde Funeral Home in Tulsa, Okla.